Hadrian's Wall is great. Have been to quite a lot of it. You just need to remember which side you are on..... literally and figuratively..... My husband told me off for attempting to drop the trews at the southern side.... I tried to explain that it is just a natural impulse for those north of the wall... lol

Only 2 more sleeps and I will be in the south in my new swimsuit reclining on the beach and doing nothing more energetic than refilling my glass of rose...... sigh_________________If you cannot feel your arteries hardening, eat more cheese. If you can, drink more red wine. Diet is just "die" with a "t" on the end. Exercise is walking into the kitchen.

I love Paris and have been many times. The fly in the ointment (does that count as a food idiom?" (Sorry, sorry sorry for my warped sense of humor!!!)) is that there are too many tourists-- especially in August when the city is full of tourists and almost nobody who actually lives there is around. I will be going as soon as I have the money because I need to visit a friend, but expect to find hordes of other tourists. Maybe I could go in November or February!
I have the same problem with Provence where I lived for a year before it became quite so trendy as it is now, although I think there is nobody left alive from the pre-WWI times when Provence was not even a bit trendy. However I have been rendered teary-eyed by standing in the Gare St. Charles in Marseille, and I think Marseille may still be gritty enough to avoid being completely touristy, although I haven't been for a while. Provence is wonderful in the fall when the leaves are turning (not as spectacular as in the U.S. Midwest where I live, but gently nice)and the markets are full of fall produce.

Someplace I love is north central Spain (Asturias or Cantabria which are less popular than the Basque country or Galicia). I also lived there for a year, and would go back if given a chance and if I could take my dogs. If you go, enjoy the intense green countryside and be sure to drink hard cider in a small bar that also serves tapas (called pinchos locally).Be sure to bring a rain jacket, water resistant shoes and an umbrella, as there is frequent drizzle. For big cities I would recommend Oslo. It looks like a cross between a city and a park, and the fjord is amazing. In summer the sunlight is incredible. It doesn't seem, as heavily touristed as some other parts of Europe. Good heavens. I really sound misanthropic, don't I? Refusing to go anyplace where others go? I am not really that terrible.

*sigh* Of course I want to see Paris. I had a one week cooking class in Roanne, about an hour NW of Lyon three years ago. We did do a day trip to Lyon and I want to go back there. I'd also like to go to the Aquitaine region and see the sites associated with Eleanor of same.
And Glastonbury, England. And Sicily to see the ancient sites and place where "Inspector Montalbano" is filmed._________________"Food is an important part of a balanced diet..." Fran Leibowitz

Granada, Spain- It is one of the best cities I have been to (and lived in briefly). Go at Christmas and you'll love the lit streets and roasting chestnuts being sold on the sidewalks. The best part is that it is a small, very walkable city, located at the base of the Sierra Nevada. The population is young and slightly hippy and the culture is traditional Spanish mixed with a large Moroccan influence in the Albaicin (a great place for Tea, hookah, baklava, and tagine). The Alhambra guards the city and the most breathtaking view of the entire city including the Alhambra is at the Miradores de San Nicolas. Just incredible...I could go on all day about this city not to mention the incredible food (very big portions and free tapas) and wonderful asmosphere. It is cozy and vibrant and close to the mountains for snow sports, or the beach for swimming.

Another favorite of mine is Cinque Terre, Italy. It is five small villages located on the Italian Riviera. I have been twice and have truly enjoyed the pesto as it originates in Liguria. Yummy!

Finally, I have to agree with Dora on Northern Spain, it is rainy and green but wonderful. I was able to spend a week in Pamplona with friends during San Fermines last year. The best food and beautiful landscape.

Paris, London, Florence, Venice, Rome, and Tuscany are all on my list as well, but sometimes I think for an authentic experience you have to go to the small towns like Stratford Upon Avon, Tours, Nimes, Avignon, Nerja, etc.